Kendra's Favorite Things

Rock My Run

Need a little help getting motivated to run harder, faster, stronger, or maybe even to just get out for a run at all? Well, now there's an app for that. Rock My Run is a new app that mixes high energy music at lengths and tempos that fit your running lifestyle.

If you are anything like me, the music really does make the difference in how effective and efficient a workout can be. Ever notice how if the music is just right during a spin class that your heart rate tends to be right where it needs to be? This app allows you to customize playlists that will move you and your workout forward, faster. The best part about it... it's FREE!

In Lipstick Heaven

Anyone who sees me on a regular basis knows that I love wearing lipstick. I guess you could say that a bright pop of color on the lips paired with minimal eye makeup is just my signature look. I don't see anything wrong with this other than I am notorious for leaving "my stamp" on wine glasses and my niece's cheeks.

I've become pretty loyal to Mac over the years, and the 3 step process of applying a liner, then lipstick, then a gloss never seemed to bother me because it did make for decent all day coverage. Unless of course I eat a sandwich for lunch, then all bets are off.

I found this new product a few weeks ago at Sephora and I'm LOVING it. Too Faced's Melted Lipstick comes in 6 fun and flirty colors that provide unprecedented coverage, pack a serious hue, AND provide moisture to your lips all day long.

I've purchased three colors now, and have been incredibly impressed by this product's long lasting ability throughout the day. A little dab goes a long way and reapplication is unnecessary (until Happy Hour). I also like that there is no longer a need to apply gloss as this product is full of shine and moisture. One less thing I have to carry around on a daily basis! I'm a happy and loyal fan of this product, let's just hope it never gets discontinued!

Rainy Day Bliss

While most people find the rain to be an irritating nuisance, this Arizona girl absolutely LOVES it when we get a dose of natural irrigation! I woke up this morning to grey skies and stormy weather, which has given me a much needed opportunity to clean up around the house, do laundry, give the blog a crisp new look, and get caught up on some reading. If you're anything like me, you are on the go all week long, so a forced slow down every once in a while is incredibly welcomed. You won't hear any complaints from me on this rainy Saturday afternoon!

According to Kendra:

1. Be you. Nothing more, nothing less. Find the truest version of yourself and own it.

2. Before you leave the house check to see if you're wearing a "third piece." This is the item that ties your outfit together. It can be a statement necklace or other accessory that really stands out, a pop of color in a scarf or handbag, or a pair of shoes that can't be overlooked.

3. Just because someone is alone doesn't necessarily mean they are lonely.

4. Actively practice the art of gratitude. Send a thank you note in the mail if you receive a gift. Keep a gratitude journal and write in it every night before you go to bed. Be grateful while paying your monthly bills or rent, this means that someone has lent you something and trusted that you'll pay them back for it, thank them for that.

5. Manicures ARE a necessity.

6. Smile. When you're on the phone, when you walk down the street, when you're in the shower and when you see someone you love.

7. Be nice to your assistant, they very well could be your boss someday.

8. Nobody else is responsible for your happiness. The only person who can make you happy is you.

9. Find a cause that is important to you and give back, as much as your time and means allow you to.

10. Don't let your cell phone make you a rude person. Put it away at dinner and don't talk on it while you're in line for something.

11. Set your wedding board on Pinterest to "private" until you're engaged.

12. Spend as much time as you need to figuring out exactly how much you're worth, and once you do, never settle for anything less than what you deserve.

13. If you've never read the Bible, give it a shot. It could change your life.

Home Sweet Home

When I moved to San Diego in 2006 it was nothing short of a leap of faith. I just woke up one morning and thought, "I think I'll move to San Diego next month." So, I packed everything I owned into my Jetta and drove West on the 8 until it ended. I had just graduated from ASU and my reasoning behind moving had more to do with the "why not?" than the "why?" I was 22 years old at the time, so I really didn't put a lot of serious thought into anything other than my tan or trying to keep my hair blonde.

During my 8 year stint in San Diego there was most certainly a long period of time when I never thought I would move away from such a beautiful city. And while I absolutely loved living in Southern California and being a part of a new culture, that "home sweet home" feeling started to tug at me about a year ago. So, I began to put some serious thought into moving to Arizona to be closer to my family. Side note: It is most likely NOT a coincidence that my beautiful niece Grace was born almost exactly a year ago!

When the perfect opportunity presented itself for me to stay with my company AND move to Arizona, I knew it was time. Everything felt very smooth, and very right. The only hard part was saying goodbye to the absolutely amazing friends and people I had built such a wonderful life with in San Diego for almost a decade. San Diego represents a huge stage of growth for me. To me it will always be the place that I started my career, developed true and meaningful relationships with incredible people, and turned 30. To put it frankly; it's where I grew up.

I'm certainly not saying that I have it all figured out, but I do feel that the girl who packed up her Jetta (along with a U-Haul this time around) and headed East on the 8 is a completely different person. I will always cherish the many experiences and people in San Diego that contributed to that growth.

I've been back in Arizona for about a month now, and while there has been some uncomfortable moments during the process, I'm finally starting to feel settled again. From family dinners, to February hikes, to cursing at Snow Birds and the driest of skin; it's good to be HOME.

Here's to yet another leap of faith in this thing we call life. Wish me luck!

4th Annual Homeless Sack Lunch Event... a great success!

Every year around the Christmas time I gather up a few friends and we prepare sack lunches for San Diego's homeless. This year there were about 20 of us that got together, and we made and delivered over 200 lunches! It is so nice that so many people are willing and excited to come out and support this event with me each year. This year we were able to add a bonus and gave everyone a pair of socks too, which was a HUGE hit! Next year I think we need to add gloves to the mix as well.

The assembly line:

Each lunch got a PB&J sammy, candy, a granola bar, a bag of chips, a cutie, a water bottle and socks!

The Crew!

The finished product!

Getting ready to head out.

The after-party at Jimmy's, (because we need to eat too)

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

-James Matthew Barrie

Farewell 2013, looking forward to 2014!!!!

If you want to be happy, watch this!

I love the message in this video; it's not happiness that makes you grateful, it's gratefulness that makes you happy. It's approximately 15 minutes long but I promise you will feel energized afterwards. Take a moment to watch it and learn how you yourself can become a happier person.

Merry Christmas

Gratitude

I remind myself daily to take inventory for the things I am grateful for (I literally have an alarm that goes off on my phone each night at 9:22pm so I can't forget!), but with today being Thanksgiving it is even more important for each of us to count our blessings. What are you grateful for in your life? Have you taken the opportunity to be thankful for everything you have? It's a simple daily exercise that has been proven to increase your happiness, and I know it has worked for me. Just a reminder that it's not that happy people are grateful, it's grateful people that are happy. I hope you have the Happiest and most Grateful of Thanksgivings this year.

Forgiveness can set you free!

Is there someone in your life that you are having a hard time forgiving? Have you ever thought about the fact that by not forgiving them all you are doing is harming yourself? Forgiveness can and will set you free. This doesn't mean that you need to forgive everyone for everything right away; but take some time to look into yourself and find the the things that you're holding onto that are holding you back and causing you more pain. Commit to setting these people free and ultimately you yourself will be free as well. If you want to take it one step further and wish these people well while you grant them forgiveness you will be well on your way to a calm and happy heart!

"The only way to learn forgiveness is to be betrayed. You might understand the intellectual concept of forgiveness, but you will only learn how to truly forgive when someone has done something that requires you to love them and let it go. Life demands these hurtful experiences for you to learn how forgiveness feels, it could be no other way. If there is anyone in your life that you must forgive, instead of seeing them as someone who has hurt you, try to see them as someone who was sent to teach you forgiveness and thank them for this precious gift - then forgive them, and let it go." - Jackson Kiddard

Some quotes just say it all...

"We attain freedom as we let go of whatever does not reflect our magnificence. A bird cannot fly high or far with a stone tied to its back. But release the impediment, and we are free to soar to unprecedented heights." - Alan Cohen

WYO

Last weekend I spent the weekend in Wyoming with my family for Patrick and Emily's wedding... it was such a blast and one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. While the wedding was the most important part of the weekend, it was also getting to spend time with my family (especially GRACE) that made it so special.

You know my mom and I can't pass up a drive through animal park...

Hungry Fella?

This little munchkin...

Bro-Sis Love

Most beautiful little girl ever.

Love this.

Kiki and Papa Bear

JD and Linds

Saddle up at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar

Patrick and Emily's Beautiful Ceremony Location

"She's a brick, house."

Best. Parents. Ever.

Journey to the Heart

A few weeks ago I stepped onto my porch to see a package addressed to "Daddy" Dwyer, and I knew it could only be from a very select few college friends that are still hell bent on calling me my ridiculously wonderful nickname. This parcel came from my particularly thoughtful and generous friend Shannon who had stayed with me for a few days the week prior. The amazon gift note mentioned that her favorite Yoga instructor had given this same book to her a few years back and she thought it would be very helpful for me right now. I couldn't agree with her more. The book is called Journey to The Heart by Melody Beattie and is full of daily meditations for each day of the year. Melody wrote this book during a long journey throughout the country after losing her son. If you're not into self growth and exploration you probably won't benefit from this book. But if you're looking for a quick daily dose of re-centering I think you would really enjoy this. It's an easy read each day, the entries are uplifting and they will help remind you to be grateful for the things you have and to be compassionate with yourself above everything else. See one example below of a daily excerpt below.

July 29th: What is Your Handicap?

"What's your handicap? the golfer asked his partner. "My childhood." said is companion.

Some handicaps are physical, certain limitations placed on our bodies. Other handicaps are emotional, burdens of heartache from sad or abusive childhoods. Others may be dealing with current issues- perhaps facing a terminal illness or grieving an irreparable loss.

After losing my son, I found myself at a point where I simply could no longer stand the agony of waiting for my pain to disappear. I knew that all my life I would miss him, and I became absolutely despondent. There is no way out of this, I thought. I'm spending my life waiting for this pain to disappear so I can begin living my life again. But the pain never will disappear. And I'll never begin living my life again. That's when a gentle idea began to change my life.

I began to understand that I was living and working with a handicap. The loss would always be there. The pain and the heartache would always be present. I could accept that, treat it as a handicap, and within that framework go ahead and live my life once more. The moment I made that decision, my attitude and perspective changed. I was able to go on, able to move forward.

Many of us are living with handicaps. Some will change over time, but others won't. if that's the case, stop waiting for your handicap to disappear. Instead, decide to live with it. Work around it. Treat yourself with care, with gentleness. Allow yourself to feel and experience all the limitations and emotions of your present situation. Accept them. Let them be part of you, part of your experience.

Despite living with a handicap, go ahead and treat yourself to life.

-Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart

We are all living with handicaps in our lives. A breakup, the loss of a job, not being happy with the way we look, being spread too thin at work; every one's handicaps are unique and important. Most of the time we are waiting for those to disappear so that we can be happy. The problem in that is that if we are always waiting for a circumstance to change in order to be happy, we will find something else that needs changing in order to be happy once the first circumstance changes, and so on and so on. What handicaps do you have that you can forgive yourself for and learn to live with happily?

Happy Birthday Kiki!!

Today is my absolutely amazing mother's birthday! If I had to choose just a few words to describe my mom they would be; sweet, thoughtful, caring, loving, kind, crafty, adorable, big hearted, amazing cook, creative, determined, and hands down the best mom on the planet. I am so lucky to have her... we all are. We celebrated last night with cupcakes, wine, sparklers and Aunt Jane... what more could a birthday girl ask for?

The one and only Kiki.

Housewarming Party

Although I've been in my new place for over 2 months I have been so busy with work, and traveling for bachelorette parties and weddings that I haven't had a chance to get a group of people over for a housewarming party. I was finally able to make that happen last night and it was so much fun! It's probably a good thing that only about 10 people were able to make it because I don't have much room for more!

I absolutely love getting friends together and I think that once everyone is together it is always appreciated. We all have busy schedules, but we have to take the time to nourish our friendships and slow down to appreciate the little moments in life that make everything worth while.

My back porch is my happy place.

Especially at night with the market lights turned on! Thanks Dad. :)

Not my traditional spread, but in a time crunch you have to improvise.

Trying to get more creative with my photo skills... nerd alert.

Stacy, Allison and Megan

Erin, Lindsay and Allie

Brant made a late night appearance!

Not having a dishwasher actually isn't so bad after all!

The Apple Tree

A family friend sent me the quote below a long time ago. My brother played baseball with her two sons and I have known their family since I was just a little tater tot. She raised her boys to treat girls like special prizes, and taught them that the right ones are not the easiest to find and that although they require more work to win over, that the end result will always be worth it. I love that!

Yes, I've been on a bit of a "girl power" rant lately and in the back of my mind Dr. Suess is reminding me "those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." So there. My reminder of the day would be that although your stay at the top of the tree might be a little longer than if you were "low hanging fruit", it will always be worth it to wait for someone who's willing to roll their sleeves up and make the climb. Until then; enjoy the view!

One Daddy's Letter to His Little Girl... Grab the Kleenex!

My girlfriend Emily from work sent me this article and I thought it was just too sweet (and true) not to share. If this doesn't choke you up I might have to check your pulse. I am thankful to have an amazing Father who reminds me what type of guy I want to end up with, simply by the example he has set. However, our society has created a poisonous environment of endless messages telling "little ones" and "not so little ones" that we have to be, look, dress, act a certain way in order to get or keep a guy. I love the rampage that this particular Daddy is on to protect his little girl from believing that poison, and to remind her what she is worth. I have a feeling that we could all use this reminder from time to time. This article came to me at the perfect time, and I wanted to pass it along to you to remind you that you are worth more than you could ever imagine.

Dear Cutie-Pie,

Recently, your mother and I were searching for an answer on Google. Halfway through entering the question, Google returned a list of the most popular searches in the world. Perched at the top of the list was “How to keep him interested.”

It startled me. I scanned several of the countless articles about how to be sexy and sexual, when to bring him a beer versus a sandwich, and the ways to make him feel smart and superior.

And I got angry.

Little One, it is not, has never been, and never will be your job to “keep him interested.”

Little One, your only task is to know deeply in your soul—in that unshakable place that isn't rattled by rejection and loss and ego—that you are worthy of interest. (If you can remember that everyone else is worthy of interest also, the battle of your life will be mostly won. But that is a letter for another day.)

If you can trust your worth in this way, you will be attractive in the most important sense of the word: you will attract a boy who is both capable of interest and who wants to spend his one life investing all of his interest in you.

Little One, I want to tell you about the boy who doesn't need to be kept interested, because he knows you are interesting:

I don’t care if he puts his elbows on the dinner table—as long as he puts his eyes on the way your nose scrunches when you smile. And then can’t stop looking.

I don’t care if he can’t play a bit of golf with me—as long as he can play with the children you give him and revel in all the glorious and frustrating ways they are just like you.

I don’t care if he doesn't follow his wallet—as long as he follows his heart and it always leads him back to you.

I don’t care if he is strong—as long as he gives you the space to exercise the strength that is in your heart.

I couldn't care less how he votes—as long as he wakes up every morning and daily elects you to a place of honor in your home and a place of reverence in his heart.

I don’t care about the color of his skin—as long as he paints the canvas of your lives with brushstrokes of patience, and sacrifice, and vulnerability, and tenderness.

I don’t care if he was raised in this religion or that religion or no religion—as long as he was raised to value what is sacred and to know that every moment of life, and every moment of life with you, is deeply sacred.

In the end, Little One, if you stumble across a man like that and he and I have nothing else in common, we will have the most important thing in common:

You.

Because in the end, Little One, the only thing you should have to do to “keep him interested” is to be you.

Your eternally interested guy,
Daddy

Written by Dr. Kelly Flanigan

Original Article

Tiny Prints One Day 50% Off Sale

Tiny Prints is one of my favorite sites for reasonably priced yet still adorable personalized stationary. Today they are running a one day sale for 50% off Thank You cards (most of their personalized stationary is considered as "Thank you"). Click here to start personalizing your options and use the promo code DEAL0711 at checkout to receive your 50% discount. Hurry up, this deal ends Friday 7/12 at 8am PST. Can't wait to see your selections in my mailbox soon!

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

If Andy Williams' voice is ringing in your head right now than I've achieved my goal. It's Christmas in July... the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!!! Woo hoo! Get ready to revamp your Fall staples. The sale began for Early Access today, but officially begins on Thursday July 18th. Some of my favorites from this year's collection are below. Enjoy your sneak peek and happy shopping!!

Joan & David is known for making

ultra high heels surprisingly comfortable.

This is their signature peep toe in suede.

Just perfect for Fall.

$109 during $169 after

Loving these stackable Kate Spade

costume bangles in spendidly bright pastels.

$85 during $128 after

Probably going to need these Sperry Top Sliders

for the rest of the sailing season.

Just LOVE the color!

$80 during $125 after

The. Most. Comfortable. Robe. Ever. Period.

Enough said. Barefoot Dreams.

$65 during $98 after

All you need for a quick transformation

from day to night this Fall is this Hinge tweed blazer.

Pair with a black pencil skirt

for work or jeans for a night on the town.

Loving the color, the cut and the leather trim.

$99 during $148 after

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery in a super-sized version.

This won't be available after the sale.

I can't say enough good things about this product.

Stock up to save cash, prevent aging,

and wake up to more radiant skin.

$120 for 3.4 oz (a $156 value)

These Corso Como riding boots are

the perfect color and cut for Fall.

Great paired with leggings, jeans or a dress.

$170 during $249 after

Favorite Lotion Ever!

Kiehl's Creme de Corps.

They only release this size during the

Anniversary Sale and around the Holidays.

While $75 for lotion may seem excessive

it has been a miracle worker for my

formerly sensitive and dry skin.

Plus the bottle will last you about 6 months.

Comes with a cute mini version also... bonus!

$75 (a $120 value)

Lulu Lemon called and they want their

overpriced see through yoga pants back.

I actually LOVE me some Lulu, but Zella has

become a close 2nd and much easier on the

bank account. These capri and full

length leggings have been released

in several different colors and patterns for the sale.

$29 during $44 after

The Vince Popover Top is one of my all time

favorite blouses for work or play.

Now is definitely the time to snag one

if you're going to bite the bullet.

$179 during $275 after

You can't go wrong with America's Best

Selling Face Wash; Purity by Philosophy.

Again, this is an exclusive size for the sale.

$50 (an $86 value)

I didn't forget about the men in our lives.

LOVING this BOSS blazer.

It's timeless and classic.

Any guy would like like a hunk in this.

$349 during $545 after

And for something a little bit more casual

(and budget friendly), run for a great price on

this 7 Diamonds short sleeve plaid staple.

$58 during $89 after